Prospective Students

"When curiosity turns to serious matters, it’s called research."

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

I am interested in having well-qualified and enthusiastic students joining my lab. The research should focus on using evolutionary approaches to understand how biological diversity at various scales (species, populations, genetic, etc) is generated, maintained and structured by historical, ecological, spatial and other factors. Students normally combine field collection, molecular genetics lab work and bioinformatic analyses. Topics of research range from epidemiology of pollinator pathogens, microbiome, conservation genetics, systematics, population/landscape genetics and speciation.

Specific research topics I am interested in supporting include:

• Phylogeography and speciation of Southeast Asian birds
• Genome-based avian research
• Adaptation genomics
• Functional metagenomics of bird-associated microbiomes

I encourage students to conduct integrative research, working with collaborators who are experts in areas such as physiology, mycorrhiza -plant interaction, biochemistry, data science, behavioral ecology, sensory ecology, etc. To expand the research horizon of students, I often co-advise students with scientists who are experts in other areas, and from other departments or institutions (e.g., Smithsonian Institution). Therefore, prospective students should be keen to work with a cross-disciplinary team. Importantly, the student needs to be motivated and an independent thinker.

There are opportunities for support, including:

• Teaching assistantships https://esp.gmu.edu/students/financial-aid/graduate-student-funding/
• Various grants and awards from GMU https://provost.gmu.edu/academics-and-research/graduate-education/awards-and-grants
• Smithsonian Fellowships and Internships https://www.smithsonianofi.com/fellowship-opportunities/
• GMU Office of Graduate Fellowships https://gradfellows.gmu.edu/
• Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (Doctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science). Suspended.
• NSF GRFP

Helpful information for international students.

• GMU Graduate Inclusion & Access Scholarship. See below for details.

This scholarship, awarded on a competitive basis, is available to first-generation college students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing a doctoral degree and have demonstrated financial need.

Eligibility Criteria:

 First-generation college graduate, defined as:

 an individual, neither of whose parents completed a baccalaureate degree; or

 an individual who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or

 an individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent. If your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attended college but did not complete a bachelor’s degree (i.e., did not graduate), you are considered to be first-generation.

 Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better (most recent degree)

 Full admission as a new, incoming student into a George Mason University doctoral program without provisions or conditions

 Financial need, as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an Alternate Needs Assessment Form (available in Financial Aid)

 All scholars must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or have DACA, asylum status, or Temporary Protective Status (TPS).